Recreation and Parks Director



Recreation and Parks Director

Salary

$119,225.60 - $161,304.00 Annually

Location

Brooklyn Park, MN

Job Type

Regular Full-Time Benefited (40 Hours)

Job Number

2021-00069-JS

Department

Recreation & Parks

Opening Date

06/09/2021

Closing Date

7/5/2021 11:59 PM Central

Position Summary

The City of Brooklyn Park is looking for an inspiring, collaborative, and innovative leader with a proven ability to effectively direct, plan and administer an award-winning Recreation and Parks Department.  With a system of 60 parks, 53+ miles of trails, numerous special use facilities and natural open space, an effective leader will help advance the vision and goals as set by the community in the 2018 Park System Plan, while advancing the communities six (6) priority goals identified within the Brooklyn Park 2025 Plan.
 
The future Director will be responsible to help advance the priorities identified by the community and the passing of the 2018, $26M Park Reinvestment Bond Referendum. These investments include the expansion of trail system to include wayfinding and lighting, redevelopment of neighborhood parks, development of the Noble Sports Park hometown ballfield, enhancements to the Community Activity Center (CAC) and Historic Eidem Farm.  Phase II of the plan is underway with redevelopment of Hartkopf, Lakeland and Norwood parks and the hometown ballfield.  Phase III to begin in 2022 with enhancement to the CAC.  

Learn more about the position and the City!  
https://www.brooklynpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ParkRecDirector_Posting-jml-1.pdf 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Develop and administer priorities for long-range program planning, establish comprehensive offerings to benefit diverse segments and interest areas of the residents of Brooklyn Park.
  • Establish priorities for facility development based on community needs, program opportunities and collaborative opportunities.
  • Provide fiscal administration of four (4) departmental budgets of approximately $10 million dollars annually. 
  • Establish and collect recreation-related fees and develop revenue forecasts for departmental operational and capital budgets.
  • Foster relationships and engages with the residents of Brooklyn Park, civic and special interest groups.
  • Explore grant opportunities to support the programming and services of the department.
  • Produce written communication, reports, correspondence for City Council and City Manager.
  • Provide strategic planning and evaluation of programs and facilities, special events etc. that advances the work of the department.
  • Develop and implement new park areas, designs, improvement plans and coordinates the refurbishment of existing park structures and equipment.
  • Provide technical consultation and serve as a resource to the City Manager on department policies, services, and programs.
  • Oversees the establishment and maintenance of departmental records, permits and program registrations.
  • Responsible for the recruitment and selection of key leadership roles.  Provides supervision and oversight of department workforce totaling 133 employees.   
  • Respond to department divisional concerns, needs and issues.
  • Negotiate the purchases or leasing of new parklands for city consideration.
  • Administer and manage the Park Land Ordinance.
  • Work interdepartmentally to manage collaborative stakeholders needs.
  • Address concerns and needs from residents and customers.
  • Other duties as assigned or apparent

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Education
Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration or a similar field with a master's degree desired

Experience
Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible municipal/public sector management experience with knowledge in the structure, function, operations, programs and services of a Parks & Recreation department

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of related education/experience may be considered

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse groups to include senior staff, consultants, and elected officials.
  • Demonstrated commitment to furthering racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Demonstrated experience with project management and facilitation.
  • Experience working with a governing board and/or elected officials.
  • Engage Park and Recreation Advisory Board Commissioners, as well as other city board members and commissioners in strategic planning and maintaining a focus on long-term initiatives.
  • Strong written and verbal skills, including demonstrated public speaking/public presentation skills.
  • Successful experience developing and coordinating operating and capital plans, including[JP1]  long-range infrastructure plans.
  • Creativity, innovation and the ability to foster the same in staff.
  • Unimpeachable integrity.
  • Ability to manage the work performance of a variety of work groups and a variety of individuals; and, applicable and relevant fiscal responsibilities.
  • Knowledge of recreation and leisure concepts, technologies and standards.
  • Knowledge of public administration, personnel management, and fiscal theory and practice.
  • Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of consensus building, conflict resolution, negotiation and team-oriented management.
  • Ability to apply proven planning and visionary expertise.
  • Ability to engage and build cohesive work teams and foster teamwork to achieve solutions to complex community-wide issues.
  • Ability to develop strategic positions and programs to implement and achieve objectives.
  • Ability to use performance measurement techniques/tactics to measure quality of public services.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment to define and analyze problems, utilize resources, identify solutions, develop and implement recommendation/proposals.
  • Ability to accurately and effectively interpret, analyze and explain complex information.
  • Ability to clearly, concisely and effectively communicate, both in verbal and written formats with specific emphasis on effective public speaking and presentation skills and technique.
  • Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
  • Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.

Desired Qualifications
  • Master degree in Parks and Recreation or related field
  • Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible administrative experience in parks and recreation program management
  • Certification as qualified leisure professional through National Parks and Recreation Association
  • Successful completion of ongoing continuing education in the field of Parks and Recreation in such areas as Revenue Management, Communications and Public Relations/Marketing 
  • Knowledge in the areas of landscape, maintenance, equipment, park facility design and use, land acquisition, and a sound understanding of maintenance procedures
  • Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
  • Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese language(s)

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants are required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.  Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 82,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
   
Our Vision, Values and Goals

Additional Information

Resume and Cover Letter Requested
To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to attach a resume and cover letter to their application to be considered for this position.  

Department/Division: Recreation and Parks Department

Anticipated Schedule:  This is a full-time, exempt, non-union position subject to a flexible schedule that includes a standard eight (8) hour work day; may include occasional evening and weekend hours

Anticipated Hiring Wage:  $119,225.60-$140,275.20.00; depending on qualifications

Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (30 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:
           
Vacation
  • New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
  • Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year
Sick Leave 
  • Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month with unlimited accumulation
Holidays
  • 12 paid holidays per year
Health Insurance:
  • Employees may choose between two health plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
  • The City contributes to the cost of health insurance
Dental Insurance
  • Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
Life Insurance
  • The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional voluntary and dependent term life insurance at group rates
Disability Insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance available at group rates
 Retirement
  •  Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions
  • Optional 457 deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings
Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
  • Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services
Fitness
  • Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered
Direct Deposit (mandatory)
  • Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday
Regular, part-time benefited City of Brooklyn Park employees (20-29 hours per week) are not eligible for Health Insurance, but are eligible for the following benefits:
  • Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
  • PERA Life
  • Flexible Spending
  • Deferred Comp, if enrolled.   
Benefits may differ based on union contracts for employees represented by a collective bargaining unit. This summary is for information only and is subject to change or revocation without notice. This summary shall not constitute a contract or guarantee, express or implied.


 

01
Which veteran's preference points, if any, are you claiming?
  • Not claiming veteran's preference
  • Veteran's preference
  • Disabled veteran's preference
  • Spouse of a deceased veteran
  • Spouse of a disabled veteran
02
What is your connection with the City of Brooklyn Park?
  • Current Brooklyn Park Resident
  • Active Member of Community Group in Brooklyn Park
  • Currently enrolled in school in Brooklyn Park
  • BrookLynk alumni
  • None apply
03
Are you able to fluently speak, write, and understand any of the following languages? (Check all that apply)
  • Spanish
  • Hmong
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Vietnamese
  • Laotian
  • None of the Above

Required Question

Agency
City of Brooklyn Park
Address
5200 85th Avenue N

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, 55443
Phone
763-493-8016